McKenzie tells PA supporters to trust leadership in coalition talks - IOL

PA leader Gayton McKenzie has been challenged over his claims about Cape Town’s Muslim voters.

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has urged party members and supporters to have trust in their leadership as parties discuss coalitions arrangements in hung municipalities.

Speaking in a live address on Facebook on Tuesday night, McKenzie said his party can enter into a coalition with any political party as long as the interests of their members were safeguarded.

“We can't work hard and sell out,” he said.

McKenzie noted that some party members have their own preferences on which parties PA should enter into coalition with during the negotiations with some threatening to leave if their preferences were not met.

“What you say to us is that you don't trust us to look after your interest when we are part of the government. You say we are being controlled,” he said.

“PA can go with any for as long as your interests will be safeguarded. It is insulting people say this is not the way because you give the DA or ANC power,” said McKenzie.

“If you don't like the ANC or DA don't worry. It is not a problem but you have to love the PA, you have to trust your leaders that we will make the best decision,” he said, before emphasising that they would not sell out after working hard during the elections.

“We are willing to work with anyone but I am not willing to sell out our people and there are no opportunities for the people and the communities. Trust the leadership to take the right direction,” he said, adding that there were councils that will enter into coalition with the ANC or the DA.

McKenzie said he has trust in the five-member team negotiating coalitions with other parties.

McKenzie told the party’s members that had spoken with DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.

“I had a long chat with Geordin Hill-Lewis. He asked a direct question: ‘Are you going to work with us?' I said 100%. I say publicly that we will work with you.”

He stated that he had referred Holomisa to the PA secretary-general when he contacted him.

“Some of you talk to parties. I don't have permission to. There is a (coalition negotiation) committee,” he said.

Regarding the talks with the ANC in the Northern Cape on Wednesday, McKenzie said their meeting went very well until they discussed the Dawid Kruiper Municipality.

“The ANC wanted a mayor and we said ‘we can't do that’. The ANC said this is the red line, Dawid Kruiper or nothing. We rather go to opposition."

He stated that they had written to the ANC in the Northern Cape to state their position.

According to McKenzie, they had committed to some people during the election campaign that they would not give the ANC mayorship at Dawid Kruiper Municipality.

“We will not be working with the ANC. You have my absolute word. We will not give them the mayorship of Dawid Kruiper,” he said, adding that they were prepared to be the opposition if things did not go their way.

He stated that the ANC did not win the elections in the Northern Cape and should not act like they won.

“We are not desperate,” Mckenzie said, adding that they were ready for a by-election if they don't reach a deal at that municipality.

He indicated that they would not give in to the DA during the coalition negotiations.

He undertook to update the Patriotic members and supporters on negotiations that were to be held with the ANC in Gauteng and ActionSA on Wednesday.